Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying.
Martin Luther
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Thank you to all who left comments and sent messages inquiring after my health.
It seems that I've spent much of 2018 in the clutches of a cold or pneumonia or both.
I still have a touch of it. The weather doesn't help as it's been cold and sometimes wet.
Even so time marches on.
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| I can count on this tree to blossom first every year. It looks quite old. |
I always look forward to Spring when warmer climates and clearer skies prevail and the blossoms unfurl in earnest.
But this Spring has started on a sad note.
I said goodbye today to a very dear and very long time friend.
She passed 2 weeks ago of diabetic complications. Her daughter arranged for services today as there are many relatives who had to travel far to be at the service.
It was a lovely service and my friend was noted for her long and faithful service to the church amongst other fine attributes.
I will miss her. Besides relatives she is one of the people I have known longest on this earth.
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| One spire at the local Catholic Church. |
Also very unexpectedly my sister in law passed yesterday.
She suffered a brain aneurysm and was airlifted to Vancouver for surgery.
They could not save her.
I was at the hospital late into the night with the family as they made the heart rending decision to 'let her go'.
I am expecting that the funeral services will be as soon as possible. Several of my family members here will make the road journey on Monday for a few days.
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Friends we never know what this life will bring us.
Sometimes we have a long journey in this life and sometimes we have a short one.
In all cases, it is made a bit easier in the knowledge that those of us with faith will meet again one day.
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It is almost one year since my own mother made the transition.
She left in peace and contentment just as I know my dear friend did also.
That is a gift to the family especially when we know they have suffered long due to ill health.
Where they are now, they will not suffer again.
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| There are always Canada geese on the lawns in front of train station. |
In my sister-in-laws case the end came very suddenly and totally unexpectedly.
It is harder to deal with loss in such cases.
My heart aches for her only son.
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| A few seagulls overhead. |
Spring seems to be a season in which many leave this earth.
It is also a time of new growth and rebirth.
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| I thought this new growth in the bottom of the tree trunk was interesting. |
I ask you to pray for the children and families involved and affected by these recent losses, especially for the children.
Also, my close friend's grandma Sally has been in hospital in Kenya for many weeks.
I ask for prayers for her and her family as well.
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I hope you all had a pleasant Easter holiday.
I had a quiet but pleasant one.
I've started to visit some of your blogs again.
Please bear with me if I am a little slow to get to your posts.
I miss reading what you all share.
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| I like the light in this photo. |
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Joining in this week with
and
35 comments:
Good shots.
Beautiful shots. Here's to warmth and good health!
Beautiful photos. So sorry for your losses. It is so hard to say goodbye to people we love.
I pray you will have comfort and healing. Please take good care of yourself. Sending you hugs.
Hello, I am so sorry about the loss of your friend and SIL. Prayers for you and the family. I am also sorry to hear you have not been feeling well.
Sending you prayers and get well wishes. Lovely photos. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!
I am so sorry to read of the loss of your dear friend and your sister in law so suddenly. As you said, we never know when our time will come, and we must always be ready to meet the Lord at any time. So thankful for the hope that Easter brings to us of new life and eternal life in heaven forever with the Lord. Praying that you will soon be feeling much better and enjoy the beautiful spring as it comes to full bloom in your area. God bless you dear friend. I enjoyed your pictures as well.
Thank you for sharing your sorrow with us.
I am so very sorry to read of all your losses and your bout with pneumonia. Praying for your strength as you support your loved ones in this sad time. We also lost a dear friend this past week and another friend is suffering now with cancer. It is difficult as we get older and see our loved ones pass.
I'm sorry to hear of the losses you have had. My sympathy to you. All the best for a rapid recovery.
Ik denk aan je en bid nu even voor je. (think and praying for you). Thanks for the nice photos.
Oh I'm so sorry you have been dealing with so much loss. You are right we never know when it is our time to go.
I will certainly be praying.
In August it will be one year since my mom died and she too went in peace and contentment too and I know I'll see her one day again.
I'm so very sorry that you've had to experience such grief and sadness in recent days, particularly when you aren't feeling your best. You're right about sudden deaths -- they are a reminder to leave no unfinished business, no matter how angry or annoyed we might be with someone. Sending hugs your way.
Sorry for your loss, and so true about not knowing what life has in store for us. Beautiful photos!
I am amazed at your capacity to publish such beautiful photos when you are experiencing such significant losses, especially your sister in law. As Jeanie said above, it is a reminder to each of us to treasure and make the most of each day, since we certainly don't know how many we have. I am grateful we have our faith to sustain us ... to know that the ultimate peace and comfort await us ...
Dear Penny, it is very sad to hear you have lost your dear friend and your sister in law. As always you are thinking of others, the children left behind and I am sure they are very grateful to have you close by at this time. It is very comforting to think of the Spring season and new life, the light and beauty of nature. You remind me of how in very sad, difficult and frightening times when loss and sorrow are overwhelming that there is some comfort and peace to be found to help us human beings to find the strength to continue our lives with dignity and love.
Hello, I am stopping back to say thank you for linking up your post. I love watching the gulls in flight. I hope you are recovering well. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. I appreciate the visit and comment too. Happy Friday, have a great day and weekend!
This spring has been such a bitter sweet time for you. Your post was quite touching and I add my prayers to your family and friends for strength during this time.
...I'm looking forward to transitioning, I've had enough winter.
Such beautiful fotos amidst your grief. I know your heart is saddened, but the thoughts of our loved ones being in glory with Jesus gives us HOPE that we'll some day see them again. Hugs to you, sweet Lady.
Sorry to hear about your losses of dear old friend and sister-in-law. I think I understand how you felt and feel toward the deceased people and their families. I fondly remember the late people I loved by association of the flowers in bloom them. I’m glad you come to see my Sakura posts every year.
Yoko
So sorry for your loss, praying God's comfort and peace for you. Beautiful pictures today.
Hello!:) I am so sorry for your losses. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos, and I hope your health improves soon
So very sorry to hear your news. Unexpected is hard on the survivvors, but my Mum went very quickly and I am glad for her that it happened that way. No pain or having to be cared for over a long period. Big shock for me though. My thoughts are with you in both cases. Take care. Diane
Dear Penny-
Sorry about your losses.
God Bless!
I am sorry to hear about your losses and you have my deepest condolences, but I have to say this post was uplifting and hopeful in the way you spoke about these things. God bless you.
dear Joyful, I am so sorry to hear about your losses. I felt as Sandi wrote, that your post brought hope and even a peace through it. Maybe that is the ultimate thing that God shows us in seasons, and in Jesus, that there is the Hope and the Salvation, Life and Resurrection. God Bless You and may His great SHALOM, Peace, be with you and the families of your dearly departed loved ones. Blessings, love, hugs♡
Penny, sorry to hear about your loss. I am still having spells of grief over my mother passing two years ago on the 9th of April. Then in Oct of last year my nephew took his life, left a wife, two small children. Have also lost several long time friends to cancer, dreaded disease. Your perspective on death is a blessing, thank you for sharing your heart.
So sorry to hear that you have not fully recover from your cold. I am still having cough on and off after 3 weeks! So sorry to hear about your loss of your good friend and SIL. We have comfort that they suffer no more and we will get to meet up with them in the future. Peace be with you and do take care and keep warm!
I've been sick as well, Penny, so I am slowly making it back to visiting blogs. I am so sorry to learn of the loss of your dear friend, and your sister-in-law. We lost a brother-in-law suddenly recently due to a heart attack. He went quickly without suffering, but it is harder for those left behind to deal with these types of deaths, I think.
Praying for your health! I hope that you will soon be completely better.
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your friend and sister-in-law. Penny I will say prayers fro you and their families. May happy memories be a consolation and the knowledge of God's promise of salvation to us.
You are having a bad time at the moment with your health and losses. Take care keep positive and hoping that you will get through the illness and the grief.
Sad to hear about the loss of the lovable one. Let the soul rest in peace. Take care of your health.
Oh I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear friend, and of your sister-in-law! So difficult when they don't get to say goodbye. I will pray for the families of these two women...beautiful pictures you shared along with your thoughts. It is another good reminder that we don't know how much time we have here on earth, we must just make the best of every moment. I am happy to have found your blog today, and pray sweet blessings and comfort for your heart during this difficult season! Hugs :)
those trees will soon turn green :)
I am so sorry about the loss of your friend. How are you now?
All very beautiful photos!
Namaste,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
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